Modular laboratory automation system

ABSTRACT

A modular laboratory automation system for monitoring and controlling laboratory experiments, the modular laboratory automation system including a controller, an interface board, and a portable power supply. Power levels of standard laboratory equipment can be automatically controlled, and conditions and parameters of experiments can be automatically monitored and recorded. The laboratory automation system is modular and can be configured to operate with laboratory experiments having varying setups and equipment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/202,250, which was filed on Feb. 10, 2009, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.The application entitled “Portable Power Supply for LaboratoryEquipment” (application Ser. No. 12/453,725, published as U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 20100202171;), now U.S. Pat. No. 8,154,899,that is being filed concurrently herewith, is additionally incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates generally to a control system for experimentalsetups in laboratories, and more particularly to a modular system thatcan monitor and automatically change the power levels of variouslaboratory equipment to aid an operator in experimentation. The systemcan cooperate with laboratory equipment, such as heaters, coolers,pumps, stirrers, etc. The system can automatically record the powerlevels as well as other physical parameters and variables of theexperimental setup, such as time, temperature, pressure, weight, etc.

Experimental setups in laboratories are geared toward determining theeffect of variables on a parameter of the experiment. This can beaccomplished by adjusting experimental variables, recording the effectsof changes, and analyzing whether the changes are beneficial ordetrimental. In a chemical lab, for example, various devices such asstirrers, pumps, motors, and heaters are responsible for differentexperimental variables. Each of these devices has its own power supplyand control system. In many laboratory devices, such as magneticstirrers and heaters, an operator controls device parameters by turninga knob that is integral to the device. Experiments are typicallymonitored by manually recording variables in a laboratory notebook whereexperimental variables are noted at predetermined time intervals.

Control of industrial processes, such as chemical processes, has beenlargely automated by using data acquisition systems that are hardwiredinto control panels. This control equipment is usually custom-designedfor each process and is physically integrated into the processequipment. Desktop computers equipped with software can be incorporatedinto industrial control systems to control and monitor the equipmentused to operate the process.

SUMMARY

Automated control systems used in industrial processes tend to becomplicated, bulky, inflexible, and expensive. For example, inindustrial process control, data acquisition monitoring signals arecollected through wires to electrical boxes, and incorporate conduits,cables, wires, DIN rails, signal conditions, power supplies, amplifiers,etc. Automated industrial control systems are also inflexible becausethey are typically designed to operate with only one process and are notportable. Such systems are impractical for laboratory use whereexperimental setups must be frequently changed and adapted.

In laboratory setups, the use of multiple devices enables flexibledesign of experiments because each device can be used in a variety ofexperiments. For example, a heating element can be used to conduct adistillation experiment one day, and a solubility experiment on the nextday. Each of the multiple devices that commonly make up laboratorysetups has its own controller that takes up space, has capital costs,and requires individual monitoring and operation. In this regard, theneed for the scientist to observe and record experimental parameters ina notebook at predetermined time intervals can be tedious, particularlywhen the experiment has many variables that must be recorded in shortperiods of time. Similarly, in order to vary an experimental parameterof a laboratory device, the scientist must manually adjust the controlon the device.

Aspects of this disclosure can facilitate the scientist or technician inperforming laboratory work. In particular, automatic control andrecordation of laboratory experiments enables experimental data andparameters to be automatically recorded in databases or spreadsheets forsubsequent access and analysis. The system can also automatically makeneeded changes to power levels to electrical devices to maintainexperimental parameters and also record the changes for future referencein the form of a spreadsheet or database.

The use of one power supply and one power controller for many laboratorydevices reduces capital costs of laboratory experiments and reducesclutter on the laboratory work bench. For example, most laboratorysensors require a sold-separately monitor-controller, which is usuallyexpensive. In one respect, the present disclosure provides an automationsystem that obviates the need for a separate monitor/controller andpower supply for each laboratory device. For example, multiplelaboratory sensors can be monitored by the computer, and multiplelaboratory devices can be powered from the system's single portablepower supply.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure there is provided amodular laboratory automation system for use with laboratory devices,where the system includes a controller that outputs initial controlsignals relating to the laboratory devices, an interface board thatreceives the initial control signals and outputs voltage control signalsbased on the initial control signals, where the interface board alsoreceives monitoring signals from the laboratory devices and outputs themonitoring signals to the controller, and a portable power supply thatincludes a power terminal electrically connectable to a laboratorydevice. The portable power supply can receive the voltage controlsignals and output power to the laboratory device through the powerterminal, where the outputted power is based on the voltage controlsignals.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure there is provideda modular laboratory automation system for use with laboratory devices,where the system includes a controller that outputs initial controlsignals relating to the laboratory devices, an interface board thatreceives the initial control signals and outputs voltage control signalsbased on the initial control signals, where the interface board alsoreceives monitoring signals from the laboratory devices and outputs themonitoring signals to the controller, and a portable power supply thatincludes at least one 120V or 240V power receptacle, and at least one ofa DC power terminal, a DC variable power terminal incorporatingoperational amplifiers, and a potentiometer terminal configured toincorporate a circuit that replaces a laboratory device potentiometer.Each power terminal is electrically connectable to a laboratory device.The power supply can receive the voltage control signals and outputpower to the laboratory device through each power terminal, where theoutputted power is based on the voltage control signals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments are described in detail below with reference tothe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary modular laboratory automationsystem;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of aninterface and a power supply in an exemplary modular laboratoryautomation system; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a front-view of an exemplary multisource powersupply.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the broad principles outlined herein aredescribed with reference to the various drawings.

The modular laboratory automation system according to the presentdisclosure provides, in some aspects, a convenient and economical devicefor controlling, monitoring, and recording a variety of experimentalsetups that use widely available laboratory equipment. The modularsystem is configured to operate with a wide variety of standardlaboratory equipment, and accordingly is flexible enough to provideautomated control and monitoring for most laboratory experiments. Inthis manner, the laboratory automation system is modular and can be usedwith different experimental setups as the experimental requirements ofthe laboratory change.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary modular laboratoryautomation system 100. The laboratory automation system can include acontroller 102, an interface 104, and a power supply 106. The modularlaboratory automation system 100 is configured to control and monitorlaboratory equipment in laboratory experimental setup 110.

The controller 102 is configured to communicate with the interface 104.Specifically, the controller 102 is configured to send initial controlsignals 103 to the interface 104, and to receive monitoring signals 105from interface 104.

The interface 104 receives initial control signals 103 from controller102 and receives monitoring signals 107 from laboratory equipment inlaboratory experimental setup 110. The interface 104 sends monitoringsignals 105 to controller 102. The interface 104 outputs voltage controlsignals 109 to the power supply 106. Optionally, the interface 104 canalso send voltage control signals directly to equipment included inlaboratory experimental setup 110.

The power supply 106 receives voltage control signals 109 from interface104, and outputs power supply 111 to equipment in laboratoryexperimental setup 110.

The controller 102 can include a computer processor that runs softwareenabling control and monitoring of various parameters of experimentalsetup 110 and corresponding laboratory equipment. For example, thecontroller can change the power settings of an individual laboratorydevice through the analysis of input parameters. The controller canmaintain or adjust equipment parameters and experimental variables usingcontrol mechanisms known in the art, such asproportional-integral-derivative (PID) control. The controller can beconfigured to automatically monitor and record experimental variables,and to allow an operator to automatically change setpoints of equipmentin laboratory experimental setup 110. For example the controller canallow an operator to specify the power level supplied to a laboratorydevice through the software, turn a laboratory device on and off throughthe software, or allow an operator to set predetermined time intervalswhen a laboratory device will be turned on and off. The controller canalso permit an operator to set experimental conditions at which alaboratory device will be turned on or off. The controller can beconfigured to run software that records experimental data in the form ofdatabases or spreadsheets, for example, which allows an operator toaccess and analyze recorded data. The controller can include either adesktop or laptop type computer, and preferably includes a laptopcomputer to maximize the portability of the system.

The interface 104 communicates with controller 102 through, e.g., USBports, Ethernet ports, serial ports, parallel ports, or any othersuitable communication mode. The interface 104 outputs low voltage(e.g., 0-5V or 0-4V) control signals 109 to the power supply 106, whichare received in corresponding terminals at the power supply 106. Theinterface 104 is configured to receive monitoring signals 107 fromlaboratory equipment in laboratory experimental setup 110 at a pluralityof analog/digital input channels and/or thermocouple channels.

The power supply 106 serves to convert the low voltage control signals109 from the interface 104 into necessary voltages and amperages forlaboratory equipment. The power supply 106 includes all of the neededrelays and/or printed circuit boards, power supplies, and signalconditioners required by the interface. The power supply 106 can bepowered by a 120V or 240V power source, which enables the power supplyto be powered by any standard wall outlet, thereby enhancing theportability of the power supply 106. The power supply 106 furtherincludes a plurality of power terminals that are electricallyconnectable to laboratory equipment in experimental setup 110. Theplurality of terminals can include one or multiple (e.g., up to five) ofeach of: 120V or 240V receptacles, DC variable terminals incorporatingoperational amplifiers, DC power terminals, and potentiometer terminalsconfigured to replace control knobs on laboratory devices. The powerterminals facilitate control of various laboratory equipment inlaboratory experimental setup 110. The built-in power outlets in thepower supply 106 obviate the need for the scientist to hardwire power tolaboratory electronic equipment to a power supply, as is done in thecase of industrial automation systems.

The laboratory automation system 100 should be configured to be modular.The modularity of the laboratory automation system enables it to be usedwith any number of different experimental setups and to operate withdifferent laboratory equipment. In this manner, the modular laboratoryautomation system can be used to control and monitor a fractionaldistillation experiment, a pressure reaction experiment, and asolubility experiment, for example. Thus, the modular system providesflexibility because numerous laboratory devices can be monitored andcontrolled with the same system.

In some embodiments, the power supply 106 can be a multisource powersupply including a plurality of terminals that are configured to controlpower to laboratory devices with different power requirements.Similarly, the interface board, which inputs monitoring signals fromlaboratory devices, can include terminals enabling its use with a numberof different laboratory devices.

In another aspect, the laboratory automation system 100 of the presentdisclosure can be configured and sized to be portable. Portability ofthe system enables an operator to move the system to differentexperimental setups located in the laboratory. Accordingly, thecomputer, interface board, and power supply can each be configured andsized to be portable. Typically, the computer, interface board and powersupply have a total volume of less than about one cubic foot. Of thesecomponents, the power supply typically occupies the largest volume, andcan have a volume of less than one cubic foot. Additionally, any powerrequirements of the computer, interface board, and power supply can besupplied by standard 120V/240V electrical wall outlets, so that anoperator may readily transport the system to different experimentalsetups throughout the laboratory as need requires. In this regard, thelaboratory automation system is substantially self-contained in thattypically only a computer and the power supply need to be plugged intowall jacks. The small size and self-contained character of thelaboratory automation system facilitates its portability and renders itconvenient to use with different laboratory experimental setups.

The laboratory experimental setup 110 in FIG. 1 represents anylaboratory experimental setup that includes multiple laboratory devices,including sensors that monitor experimental variables. Laboratorydevices are controlled and/or monitored by the modular laboratoryautomation system 100. The laboratory devices can include, for example,heaters, chillers, coolers, pumps, valves, stirrers, thermocouples,pressure transducers, load cells, flow meters, rotovaps, etc. The systemcan automatically record the power levels supplied to each device aswell as other physical parameters of the experiment.

Specific embodiments illustrating an interface and power supply of themodular laboratory automation system are described in greater detailwith reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating operation of interface board200 and multisource power supply 210 according to one aspect of thepresent disclosure.

Interface board 200 sends low voltage (e.g., 0-5V or 0-4V) analog anddigital output signals 201 to multisource power supply 210, which arereceived on corresponding input terminals. The interface board canutilize USB-driven modular data acquisition boards, which arecommercially available. The interface board 200 can optionally includechannels that output voltage control signals directly to variouslaboratory equipment. The interface board 200 can also be configured toinclude analog or digital input channels that receive monitoring signalsfrom the laboratory equipment. The interface board can also beconfigured with channels that receive 4-20 mAmp signals from laboratoryequipment such as, for example, flow meters.

The multisource power supply 210 includes 120V/240V receptacles 212,operational amplifier (“op amp”) terminals 214, “Anapot” terminals 216,and 15V power terminal 218. The power supply can optionally includepower meters 220.

The power supply 210 can be powered by a 120V or 240V power source 215,which can be plugged into a standard wall outlet.

The 120V/240V receptacles 212 can be used to power any laboratoryequipment having a standard wall plug. The power supply converts lowvoltage digital signals 201 a into power supply 222 that controls powerto laboratory devices that are plugged into receptacles 212. In thismanner, the software can control laboratory devices to be “on” and “off”and control the power supply to those devices.

The op amp terminals 214 can be used to convert low voltage analogsignals 201 b from the interface board into power supply 224, to powerdevices that use 0-15V and up to 1 Amp or more power. The op ampcircuits are useful to control laboratory devices that have a controlcoil, e.g., proportional control valves and solenoids.

The “Anapot” terminals 216, which are also referred to in thisdisclosure as potentiometer terminals, can be used to control laboratorydevices having standard control knobs (i.e., potentiometers or “controlpots”), as are common on, for example, magnetic stirrers. The “Anapot”circuits in the power supply 210 convert the low voltage (e.g., 0-4V DC)analog signals 201 c from the interface board into a voltage signal toreplace a control knob. A two wire adaptor can be used for thisconversion. One wire 228 is attached to the “Anapot” circuit and thehigh voltage side of the control pot. The second 226 wire is alsoconnected to the “Anapot” circuit and then to the wiper terminal of thecontrol pot. Variations in the 0-4V analog control signal voltage areused to control the “Anapot” circuit and adjust the voltage to thewiper, in effect, replacing the control pot of the device. Thus, thecontroller can effectively control the knob of the device by varying thevoltage of the analog control signal.

The power meters 220 are coupled to the 120V/240V receptacles 212 andmeasure the power usage of those outlets. The power meters 220 send amonitoring signal 221 to interface board 200, which is received atcorresponding dedicated terminals on interface board 200. The powermeters are useful for determining energy requirements for differentexperiments, and for determining when power requirements of anexperimental setup change.

Operation of a multisource power supply according to another embodimentis described in detail with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a front-viewof an exemplary multisource power supply 300 that can be used as part ofthe modular laboratory automation system. The power supply 300 includesa housing 301 that accommodates a 120V power chord in the rear of thehousing (not shown) that can be plugged into standard household linevoltage, three 120V AC receptacles 306 a, 306 b, 306 c, three digitalinputs 304 a, 304 b, 304 c corresponding to the 120V AC receptacles, one15V DC power terminal 308, three op amp terminals 312 a, 312 b, 312 c,three analog inputs 310 a, 310 b, 310 c corresponding to the op ampterminals, three “Anapot” terminals 314 a, 314 b, 314 c, and threeanalog inputs 313 a, 313 b, 313 c corresponding to the “Anapot”terminals. The power supply 300 also includes a digital ground 305, andan analog ground 311.

As in the above embodiments, the 120V power source is the standard linevoltage supplied by electrical outlets that enables the power supply 300to be plugged into a wall outlet.

Digital inputs 304 receive the voltage control signals from theinterface board and control power supply to receptacles 306. Typically,the low voltage signals received at the digital inputs 304 are in therange of 3-5 V DC. The digital inputs 304 comprise two insulatedterminal screws. One screw is electrically connected to ground 305, andthe other to terminal 304. The terminal screws allow the low voltagecontrol signals from the interface board to be converted into outputvoltages by using solid state relays. Thus, for example, a 5V input cancorrespond to a 120V output that is supplied to the laboratory equipmentthat is plugged into receptacles 306.

Laboratory devices can be plugged into the 120V receptacles 306 tocontrol power supply to the laboratory devices. In one aspect, alaboratory device that is plugged into an receptacle 306 can turned onor off by inputting into the computer the desired power level thatcorresponds to the particular receptacle. For example, heat from aheating mantle can be controlled by specifying the required power levelof the mantle from the computer. Alternatively, laboratory equipment canbe controlled by specifying a variable on the computer, and a PIDcontroller can be used to control the power to the receptacle tomaintain the variable as constant. Thus, for a heating mantle, anoperator can select a desired temperature, and the computer can use aPID loop to control the power supply of the receptacle 306 to maintain aconstant temperature based on temperature input from a thermocouple.

The multisource power supply 300 can also include power meter circuitrythat are associated with each receptacle 306, and output power levelinformation of receptacles 306 to analog input terminals or dedicatedterminals on the interface board. The power meters can monitor the powerto each 120V receptacle 306 independently. The power meters can beuseful to analyze the thermodynamic properties of experiments, and todetermine when the conditions of an experiment change.

The 15V DC power terminal 308 on multisource power supply 300 canprovide power needed to monitor sensors and meters that require an“excitation voltage.” Exemplary devices that can be powered with the 15VDC power terminal 308 include load cells and pressure transducers. The15V DC power terminal 308 can also supply the power that is needed fordevices such as flow meters and on/off control valves. In addition to,or in place of, the 15V power terminal 308, DC power terminals withvoltages ranging from 0-36V or 0-16V can be used depending on therequirements of the laboratory equipment. Terminals having about 5V,12V, 15V and 16V outputs are useful for common laboratory equipment.Power supply for equipment with low voltage requirements (0-4V or 0-5V)can also be supplied directly from the interface board.

The multisource power supply 306 receives low voltage signals from theinterface board at op amp input terminals 310 a, 310 b, 310 c, andconverts the low voltage signals into power signals that are supplied tolaboratory devices through corresponding op amp output terminals 312 a,312 b, 312 c. Each output 312 a, 312 b, 312 c of the op amp circuitconsists of two output wires (a high voltage side and a low voltageside). The op amp circuit also includes an analog ground terminal 311.The op amp circuits are used to power laboratory devices that use 0-15Vand up to 1 amp or more power. For example, the op amp terminals areuseful to power proportional control valves, or other devices that arecontrolled with a magnetic-type coil.

The “Anapot” terminals 314 can be used to by-pass or replace the controlknobs of laboratory devices. In particular, wires from the “Anapot”terminal are connected to the electrical leads of control pot on theknob controller of a laboratory device. Two wires from the “Anapot”terminal are connected to the control pot; one wire is connected to thehot leg of the knob on a particular device, and the other wire isconnected to the wiper wire. Two wires from the 0-4V DC signal from theinterface board are connected to terminals 313 a, 313 b, or 313 c, thecontrol side of the “Anapot” circuit. The 0-4V DC will supply aproportional amount of current to the “Anapot” circuit of the device.The higher the 0-4V DC voltage, the more current will be supplied to thewiper terminal of the pot. This has the same effect as turning the knob.For example, 0V can correspond to an “off” position of the knob, while4V can correspond to a knob position of 100% on. An input from thelaboratory device can also be sent to the interface board, and can beused to control the voltage to the “Anapot” circuit and correspondinglyto the device. For example, an rpm sensor on a stir motor can be sent tothe interface board, and can be used to control the 0-4V DC controlvoltage to maintain a constant stirring speed. Devices that can bemonitored/controlled by use of the “Anapot” terminals include the speedof a magnetic stirrer or mechanical stirrer, recirculation bath, pump,and the like.

The housing 301 of power supply 300 contains the necessary electronicsand circuitry to receive analog and/or digital control voltages, thenecessary electronics and circuitry to provide regulated DC powerrequired by some laboratory equipment, and fuses, PCBs or relays thatcan protect the equipment and operator from overloads. In someembodiments, the power supply 300 can use multiple solid state relays.

Operation of a modular laboratory automation system according to oneembodiment of the present invention can be illustrated by description ofa pressure reaction in an autoclave. In this experimental setup, thelaboratory automation system monitors and controls pressure,temperature, stir rate, and reagent addition and removal.

In this embodiment, the interface board contains one or more of aplurality of thermocouple connections, a plurality of analog inputconnections, a plurality of digital input connections, a plurality ofanalog output connections and/or a plurality of digital outputconnections. In the pressure reaction experiment, thermocouples monitorthe temperature of the reaction. Outputs from the thermocouple are sentto the interface board and monitored and recorded by the computer.

The analog inputs on the interface board monitor analog input signalsfrom the pressure transducer and the load cell. As with thethermocouple, outputs from the pressure transducer and load cell aresent to the portable interface board and the data is recorded by thecomputer.

A multisource power supply allows the above units to be used in thelaboratory. The pressure transducers and load cells require anexcitation voltage to operate correctly. To supply the requiredexcitation voltage for these devices, the power supply outputs therequired DC voltage needed for those devices, for example, from a powerterminal such as 15V DC power terminal 308 described above withreference to FIG. 3.

The input from the sensors in the experiment are used to control variousaspects of the reaction. For example, the temperature inputs can be usedto monitor and control the heater for the reaction. Software canincorporate a PID loop to automatically adjust the voltage to theheater. This system can heat the reaction to a specified temperature andmaintain the desired temperature. Both the power settings and actualtemperature can be recorded by the interface board and software.

The software and analog output signal from the interface board can alsobe used to control the speed of an electric motor for stirring theexperiment. This stir rate can also be automatically recorded by thesystem. Any changes to the stir rate by the operator can then bereproduced in future experiments.

An analog output signal from the interface board can be used to vary areagent addition pump. A digital output can be also be used to turn areagent addition pump on or off.

A different channel on the interface board can be used to control a pumpto remove reagent from the autoclave. The removed product can betransferred to a vessel on a load cell. This load cell can, in turn,monitor the weight via the interface board and the computer.

The maximum values of pressure, temperature, time, product addition orremoval can be set in the software, and the system can be configured toturn off laboratory equipment if the maximum values are exceeded. Thiscan also act as a safety feature to protect the operator.

While the disclosed systems, devices, and methods have been described inconjunction with exemplary embodiments, these embodiments should beviewed as illustrative, not limiting. It should be understood thatvarious modifications, substitutes, or the like are possible within thespirit and scope of the disclosed systems, devices and methods.

1. A modular laboratory automation system for use with laboratorydevices configured in an experimental setup, the system comprising: acontroller that is programmed to output initial control signals forcontrolling the laboratory devices; an interface board that receives theinitial control signals and outputs voltage control signals based on theinitial control signals, the voltage control signals being indicative ofoperational voltages and/or amperages of the laboratory devices in theexperimental setup, the interface board also receiving monitoringsignals from sensors in the experimental setup, the monitoring signalsbeing indicative of experimental variables of the experimental setup,and outputting the monitoring signals to the controller; and a portablepower supply that includes a plurality of power terminals, each of thepower terminals being electrically connectable to at least one of thelaboratory devices in the experimental setup, the portable power supplyreceiving the voltage control signals and outputting power to thelaboratory devices through the power terminals, the outputted powerbeing based on the voltage control signals, wherein the controller isprogrammed to receive the monitoring signals and output the initialcontrol signals based on the monitoring signals such that the controllercontrols the voltage control signals and the power outputted to thelaboratory devices based on the monitoring signals, and wherein thesystem is configured to be usable with a plurality of experimentalsetups such that (a) at least one of the power terminals of the portablepower supply is electrically connectable to a first kind of laboratorydevice in a first experimental setup and is electrically connectable toa second kind of laboratory device in a second experimental setup, (b)the interface board is configured to receive a plurality of differentkinds of monitoring signals from a plurality of different kinds ofsensors, including receiving monitoring signals from a first kind ofsensor in the first experimental setup and receiving monitoring signalsfrom a second kind of sensor in the second experimental setup; and (c)the controller controls power outputted to the first kind of laboratorydevice in the first experimental setup based on the monitoring signalsof the first experimental setup, and controls power outputted to thesecond kind of laboratory device in the second experimental setup basedon the monitoring signals of the second experimental setup.
 2. Themodular laboratory automation system according to claim 1, wherein thecontroller is a laptop computer configured to run software thatprocesses and records the monitoring signals.
 3. The modular laboratoryautomation system according to claim 2, wherein the software enables anoperator to input setpoints of the experimental variables of theexperimental setup, and wherein the controller is programmed to outputthe initial control signals based on one or more of the setpoints. 4.The modular laboratory automation system according to claim 1, whereinthe voltage control signals from the interface board include analog anddigital signals.
 5. The modular laboratory automation system accordingto claim 1, wherein the interface board includes a plurality of analogor digital input terminals and a plurality of analog or digital outputterminals.
 6. The modular laboratory automation system according toclaim 1, wherein the interface board includes a plurality ofthermocouple input terminals.
 7. The modular laboratory automationsystem according to claim 1, wherein the interface board includes inputterminals that are configured to receive monitoring signals fromthermocouples, pressure transducers, and load cells.
 8. The modularlaboratory automation system according to claim 1, wherein the portablepower supply is electrically connectable to a power source of 120V or240V line voltage.
 9. The modular laboratory automation system accordingto claim 1, wherein the power terminals are selected from a 120V or 240Vpower receptacle, a DC power terminal, a DC variable power terminalincorporating operational amplifiers, and a potentiometer terminalconfigured to incorporate a circuit that replaces a laboratory devicepotentiometer.
 10. The modular laboratory automation system according toclaim 1, wherein the portable power supply includes a 120V or 240 Vpower receptacle and a DC power terminal.
 11. The modular laboratoryautomation system according to claim 10, wherein the DC power terminaloutputs 0-16V power.
 12. The modular laboratory automation systemaccording to claim 10, wherein the DC power terminal is electricallyconnectable to at least one laboratory device requiring an excitationvoltage.
 13. The modular laboratory automation system according to claim1, wherein the portable power supply includes a DC variable powerterminal incorporating operational amplifiers.
 14. The modularlaboratory automation system according to claim 13, wherein the DCvariable power terminal is electrically connectable to at least onelaboratory device requiring 0-15V and up to 1 Amp power.
 15. The modularlaboratory automation system according to claim 1, wherein the portablepower supply includes a potentiometer terminal configured to incorporatea circuit that replaces a laboratory device potentiometer.
 16. Themodular laboratory automation system according to claim 1, wherein thesystem is configured for use with laboratory devices includinglaboratory pumps, laboratory heaters, chillers, coolers, valves, andstirrers, and sensors including thermocouples, pressure transducers,load cells, and flow meters.
 17. The modular laboratory automationsystem according to claim 1, wherein the first experimental setup isselected from one of a distillation experimental setup, a pressurereaction experimental setup and a solubility experiment, and the secondexperimental setup is selected from another one of the distillationexperimental setup, the pressure reaction experimental setup and thesolubility experiment.
 18. The modular laboratory automation systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the controller controls power to thelaboratory devices by using a plurality of different kinds of controlmechanisms.
 19. The modular laboratory automation system according toclaim 18, wherein the plurality of different kinds of control mechanismsinclude PID control, on/off control, setpoint control, percent powercontrol, and timed control.
 20. The modular laboratory automation systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the controller, interface board and powersupply are sized to have a total volume of less than about one cubicfoot.
 21. A modular laboratory automation system for use with laboratorydevices configured in an experimental setup, the system comprising: acontroller that is programmed to output initial control signals forcontrolling the laboratory devices; an interface board that receives theinitial control signals and outputs voltage control signals based on theinitial control signals, the voltage control signals being indicative ofoperational voltages and/or amperages of the laboratory devices in theexperimental setup, the interface board also receiving monitoringsignals from sensors in the experimental setup, the monitoring signalsbeing indicative of experimental variables of the experimental setup andoutputting the monitoring signals to the controller; and a portablepower supply that has a plurality of power terminals including at leastone 120V or 240V power receptacle, and at least one of a DC powerterminal, a DC variable power terminal incorporating operationalamplifiers, and a potentiometer terminal configured to incorporate acircuit that replaces a laboratory device potentiometer, each powerterminal being electrically connectable to at least one of thelaboratory devices in the experimental setup, the power supply receivingthe voltage control signals and outputting power to the laboratorydevices through the power terminals, the outputted power being based onthe voltage control signals, wherein the controller is programmed toreceive the monitoring signals and output the initial control signalsbased on the monitoring signals such that the controller controls thevoltage control signals and the power outputted to the laboratorydevices based on the monitoring signals, and wherein the system isconfigured to be usable with a plurality of experimental setups suchthat (a) at least one of the power terminals of the portable powersupply is electrically connectable to a first kind of laboratory devicein a first experimental setup and is electrically connectable to asecond kind of laboratory device in a second experimental setup, (b) theinterface board is configured to receive a plurality of different kindsof monitoring signals from a plurality of different kinds of sensors,including receiving monitoring signals from a first kind of sensor inthe first experimental setup and receiving monitoring signals from asecond kind of sensor in the second experimental setup; and (c) thecontroller controls power outputted to the first kind of laboratorydevice in the first experimental setup based on the monitoring signalsof the first experimental setup, and controls power outputted to thesecond kind of laboratory device in the second experimental setup basedon the monitoring signals of the second experimental setup.